A Lady of the Realm (21 page)

“You see how it seems to move away from my hand. ‘Tis because I’m undead as opposed to merely immortal.” As he spoke, I saw the blue viscous liquid did indeed move away from his touch. His hand had actually left a depression in the swarming blue gel.

“Let me try,” I said.

Placing my hand in slowly to gauge the reaction, I was startled at its warmth. The liquid retreated away from my hand but within a few seconds, I felt warm tentacles running up my palms. The liquid was teasing my skin, thin entrails slinking into my hand, slowly rolling over and covering my exposed hand in a sensual way. All of a sudden, as if from a signal that only it could discern, the liquid melded to my hand. Running up my arm and to my elbow, which was definitely out of the water.

“I think it likes you,” Caleb said with a chuckle as the liquid continued to spiral out of control up my arm.

“I think you’re right,” I mumbled back. I eased my hand out of the fountain and the liquid, with surprising resistance, began to fall off my arm in thick blue globs.

“That was different,” I said as the final drop fell back into the fountain. Caleb placed his hand on my elbow and steered me into the opening of the maze.

The fountains were markers for the many mazes that one could lose herself in. The mazes themselves were traditional. Tall hedges lined the paths off the walkway we entered. Caleb pointed out all the benches, nooks, and gazebos, which were strategically placed inside the maze. As I had noted on my first day, all seating arrangements were placed for specific reasons.

“The proprietors of this resort made dozens of mazes where one could find some peace and quiet. Take this maze. It’s filled with seating sections at just about every turn. If you look down the path, the seating is positioned in such a way that no one can sneak up on you.”

He pointed down the long pebble strewn path. The bench coming up was a good 100 yards away. If there was someone sitting there, I couldn’t see him or her; a murky haze covered the area.

“It’s also enchanted. You can’t see or hear anyone, but the person can see you.”

I took that tidbit of information and filed it away.

“There are four gazebos in each maze. The gazebos are enchanted from others shifting in, listening in, and viewing anything that happens in it,” he said casually as we headed towards a large white structure covered in ivy.

“Does the anti-shifting include everyone on the grounds?” I asked.

“I’ll have to ask Sigmund or Sasha. I do know you can always shift out, in case of danger, but you’re not supposed to shift in.”

He continued talking as I gazed towards the end of the path where the gazebo stood, beckoning me. It was beautiful, all white, and ivy—covered glistening with the last rays of sunlight. Daffodils bloomed around the edges; and bees buzzed busily from bloom to bloom.

I felt an intense alarm slam into my mind, knocking the wind out of me. It wasn’t mine either. I stared at the gazebo wondering what was going on because that’s where the sense of anxiety was coming from. Sasha was in there. I was positive. Instead of coming out to greet us, I felt him pull back. The damn fiend had shifted and slammed his walls back down.

Perplexed as to why he wouldn’t come out to see me, and a bit angry if I was honest, I glared into the gazebo as if answers would spring forth and explain everything. I was surprised when that’s exactly what happened.

A redheaded beauty stepped lithely out of the gazebo. To say she was scantily dressed would be a major understatement. My blood began boiling immediately. I instantly disliked the redhead that waved me over with a serene smile on her face. Caleb kept behind me as we approached.

“Do you mind if I talk to you privately for a minute?” she asked when we were close enough. She was clearly only referring to me. Caleb shrugged when I looked over questioning.

“Inside the gazebo of course. I’ll be right here waiting.” He said as he sank to the ground.

I was burning with curiosity. I stepped inside and took a seat, waiting. Katie, as Caleb had called her before I stepped inside, stood as far away from me as possible. Her hands across her chest.

“You’ve been busy since you got here. I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself. I’m Katie, House of Siege. That’s the werewolf branch if you don’t know.”

The snicker was unmistakable. She continued talking as she came towards me, her eyes roving up and down, clearly amused by the jeans and t-shirt.

“I was wondering what kind of creature you were that could enthrall such a magnificent being like Alek. Alas, I know he wants an allodial in his territory. Still ...” Her hand came up, as if to touch my frizzy hair, but dropped suddenly. “A witch, how beneath him.”

Repulsion dripped like warm honey.

“Do you need to talk or just insult me?” I asked politely.

This question, for some unexplained reason, made Katie even more disgusted.

“I admit to some kind of unnatural curiosity about you. I heard he drew an unusual contract with your name. Granted he’s a master strategist; and I’m sure he has his reasons. Tell me, are you and Alek … do you have an understanding?” she asked as she inspected her nails feigning indifference to the answer.

“You should ask him,” I said and got up to leave. I wasn’t sure what was going on with the elf. Malachi said he wanted the contract on file. I hadn’t spoken to Sasha, so I wasn’t sure what the story was. I had to trust him, how galling.

“Alek and I have known each other for centuries. It’s a very mature relationship,” she said huskily.

“Does he tie you up too or do you only do it doggie style?” I grinned. I knew Sasha. He wasn’t capable of being friends with a woman. My grin and amusement didn’t go over well with Katie.

“You’d do best to follow his edicts to the letter. He’s about to take the reins of his House. Stick to your own kind.” She wasn’t even trying to be halfway decent anymore.

“He’s smart enough to know what to do,” I said.

Katie straightened up and gazed at me. Her slit—like pupils in her amber eyes dilated slightly.

“I don’t understand what Alek sees in witches. He doesn’t always know what’s best for him when a witch is concerned. I assume it’s a male thing,” she said.

“Men are strange,” I said moving towards the entrance. Katie grabbed my arm. These freaks were such a touchy feely kinda of people. I tensed.

“Beth, there are many here, male and female, who want him for a number of reasons,” she growled into the air.

I looked at the hand that was gripping my sleeve, a soft wave of energy shooting out towards the offending gesture. Katie released me, her eyes wide in surprise.

“That list includes you?” I asked smoothly as I straightened out my clothing.

“Of course. I gain control of Region One, he gains Region Two. Imagine uniting the Houses or at the very least, the Regions for several centuries. The income would be tremendous.”

It was a good plan. A cold-blooded, moneymaking, plan.

“How does he feel?” I asked. If he thought it was a good idea, he might do it.

“He’s considering the possibilities,” Katie said briskly. Obviously, her master plan hadn't received the final approval. Huh. I didn’t like Katie one bit so that was good.

“Right. Later.” I finally stepped out through the archway into the twilight.

“See you at dinner,” Katie called behind me.

Dinner. I’d forgotten all about dinner. Malachi was to be in my quarters at what time? Shit, ten minutes ago. I sprinted down the walkway towards the resort. I needed some time if I was to get halfway decent. Caleb, keeping pace for once as opposed to slowing down for me, asked nonchalantly.

“What did little Katie want?”

Exhaling I mumbled, “Damn tramp. Caleb did Sasha do every female in here?” I didn’t expect an answer.

“Not everybody.”

“Nice to know. We better get moving; I forgot about dinner. Malachi and Sig will be waiting and at least one of them won’t be happy.”

Chapter Twenty-Six: Dinner and Dancing

Malachi was waiting in my rooms. Sig, ugh, the demon, had let him in. He was sipping red wine from a goblet as I hastily walked in. Sig began his tirade as soon as the door was shut.

“You weren’t to leave the quarters, Beth. I thought you understood.”

“I only took a stroll with Caleb through the gardens. I needed some air,” I said as I rushed into my room to grab something suitable.

No need to search, Sig I assumed, had left a gorgeous blue cocktail dress on the bed for me. I picked it up and looked at the tag. It had to be from Sig, who else would buy a dress from the fashion designer, Theia. There was even a set of high heels, a velvet box with a diamond necklace, matching earrings, and a tiny clutch bag.

“Anything interesting happen?” I heard him ask as I closed the velvet box and placed it back on the bed. He always knew when something happened. I also knew lying to him wasn’t an option.

“I met Katie. Nice girl.” I yelled out as I rushed into the bathroom for a record shower and shave.

Sig laughed, and Malachi called out, “Did you say she was a nice girl?”

“Um, yeah. Apart from her reference to my lack of intelligence, breeding and overall competency, she was okay. I’m sure her advice was nothing personal.”

The gentlemen made no further comments.

*

The formal dinner was in some large room in the main building. The walls were a deep blood red with white wainscoting. Dozens of round, linen covered tables were in the dining area. Everyone present was affiliated with a powerful House. I learned on the way down that we’d be sitting at Malachi’s table.

We were the last ones to enter, late because of me. It took considerable effort to tame my frizzy brown hair; Sig suggested I get a Brazilian blowout when we got back to the city. I didn’t know what he was talking about. He spent too much time on appearances. The butler, I guessed that was his job title anyway, announced our names into the sudden silence.

“Lord Malachi, Sir Sigmund, and Lady Bethany.”

L
ady Gail, and everyone else taking her lead, followed us with their eyes as we were escorted to our seats. I sat with Sig at my left and Malachi to my right.

We shared our meal with two vamps, two gargoyles, and Malachi’s date, a human. Introductions were hastily made as we settled in to the first course. The big strapping young blond man named Benji was exceedingly handsome. He wasn’t what I expected a gargoyle to be. Gargoyle was a fancy term for shifters with dragon blood. His sheer girth took my breath away. He looked as if he belonged in the world’s strongest human competition.

“Welcome. I’ve never met a DeDe witch before. Heard you guys are fun,” Benji said around a mouthful of food.

“I’m the life of the party I’m told,” I said with a smile. From my left came a smoky voice.

“Lady Beth,” the vampire named Maria said, tilting her goblet in my direction. Her accent was Hispanic, she had lustrous black hair curling down her back and a spot of color on her cheeks. On the plate before her was a bloody slab of meat, a portion was minced into forkful pieces. The ornate goblet held some kind of questionable liquid in it.

“Where’s your cousin, witch?” The impudent question came from Malachi’s date. Sig had whispered her name as we came in. Marcia Brady. At least her momma had a sense of humor.

“I’m not sure,” I said eyeing her from beneath my lashes. Her brows puckered, and her expression soured as she continued.

“Witches have lost the intimate feeling of a family. He should be sitting next to you, not that demon. Who would we contact, if something happened to you?” she asked, lifting her goblet to sip some red wine. It dribbled down her chin, leaving red tracks on her skin. I could’ve sworn Malachi had better taste in women.

“I can take care of myself. How do you know, Ian?”

Marcia, who I had just met, couldn’t know that my calm demeanor was a warning sign. Malachi and Sig were a different story. They both stared at me as Marcia continued blissfully unaware of anything.

“It’s part of my job. Someone has to keep track of the witch population. Your race is an anomaly. You’re human with the powers of the elite. My file on you states you harness red energy, a feat only a handful of faeries can accomplish. It’s a travesty for you to be an allodial. The dark elf chose well for his current whore.”

I placed my fork down carefully as my vision turned pink. Sigmund became a little warmer by my side.

“Marcia dear, you of all here should know better than to listen to idle rumors,” Malachi said, picking up his cup to take a drink.

Marcia cut her eyes back to Malachi. Stuffing a portion of steak into her mouth, she chewed and talked. Small bits of food and spittle flew out into the general area. I pushed my plate away, disgusted.

“I know you two always share,” she said blithely. “I don’t care. It’ll be worth it in the end I’m sure.”

This bitch was dumb. Even I had better manners when it came to anything that could kill me if the mood struck it. Maria’s smoky voice drifted into the conversation.

“You know nothing. If I were you, I’d remember my position on the totem pole.”

Brava. I was touched that she would speak up in my defense. It was nice to know not everyone would be outwardly hostile.

“You can do nothing to me you unholy creature. I’ve no fear of death,” Marcia said as she started digging into the next course.

Malachi smiled wickedly as Maria spoke up again.

“I wouldn’t fear death. I would fear the moments leading up to death.” Her eyes were glowing as she glanced towards the other end of the room. We all turned as one and the only person to stand out from the crowd was Sasha. He had his fingers folded, his chin resting on them as he stared at Marcia with glowering eyes.

Marcia placed her fork down. Glaring around in general, her sneering gaze settled on me.

“Who’s your father?”

“I can answer that,” Sig’s firm hand against mine was a warning; “It’s none of your business,” he said. I wasn’t to speak about my bloodlines more than necessary. I took a long swallow from my glass of wine.